Is This Device an iPad Killer?

Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Nexus 7 tablet beat sales of Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad in Japan over the holiday season, according to data from research firm BCN. The biggest factor going in the Google tablet’s favor was price, according to the report. The Nexus 7, which is manufactured by Asus, costs around $100 less in Japan than the iPad mini.

The iPad has been the top-selling tablet in Japan since its launch in 2010. But the latest survey, conducted in consumer electronics stores across the country, found that the Nexus 7 took 44.4 percent of the market, while the iPad managed 40.1 percent. Local manufacturers, including Sony (NYSE:SNE) and Fujitsu, had minuscule market shares. The survey noted that supply shortages experienced by the Apple tablet may have hurt sales figures as well.

According to Nikkei, a total of 3.6 million tablets were sold in the country last year, almost thrice the number during 2011. Sales are expected to grow to 4.9 million this year and reach 7.8 million by 2016.